Self-Induced Coolant Transport Boiling Heat Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cooling systems face inefficiencies in heat transfer due to high flow rate requirements and vapor film formation, leading to poor heat transfer coefficients and increased temperatures in heat-generating structures.
Innovation Solution
A cooling system utilizing a chamber with self-induced coolant transport and pin fin configurations, where thermal energy from a heat-generating structure causes fluid coolant to boil and effuse vapor, creating a self-induced flow that distributes non-vaporized coolant and enhances heat transfer, reducing the need for high flow rates and eliminating the need for refrigeration systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional cooling systems use high flow rates to improve heat transfer, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but system complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses self-induced coolant transport where the phase change process itself generates the flow mechanism. The effusing vapor creates a self-induced flow that distributes non-vaporized coolant throughout the chamber, eliminating the need for external pumps and complex flow control systems while maintaining effective heat transfer
Solution Approach 2:
The invention exploits the phase transition of coolant from liquid to vapor through boiling and effusion. This phase change absorbs thermal energy from heat-generating structures and creates vapor-driven flow patterns that automatically distribute coolant, replacing complex mechanical flow control with thermodynamic phase change mechanisms
2Temperature
If conventional cooling systems increase coolant flow rate to maintain low temperatures, then temperature control is improved, but system size and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system eliminates external pumping power requirements by using the phase change process to self-generate coolant circulation. The effusing vapor naturally drives the flow of non-vaporized coolant across heat transfer surfaces, maintaining temperature control without consuming additional electrical power
Solution Approach 2:
The latent heat absorption during boiling and the subsequent vapor effusion create a self-sustaining thermal cycle that maintains low temperatures on heat-generating structures without requiring powered circulation systems
3Productivity
If conventional cooling systems use forced flow to prevent vapor film formation, then heat transfer coefficient is improved, but flow rate requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the vapor effusion process itself to distribute coolant in a self-regulating manner. The self-induced flow automatically adjusts coolant distribution to maintain effective heat transfer without requiring excessive flow rates or forced circulation
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from conventional single-phase forced convection to two-phase flow with phase change. The vapor effusion creates complex three-dimensional flow patterns that enhance coolant distribution and heat transfer coefficients without increasing overall flow rate requirements
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system achieves enhanced heat transfer with reduced coolant flow requirements, smaller system size, and lower power consumption, maintaining efficient thermal energy distribution and preventing excess fluid accumulation, while maintaining low temperature differentials across heat transfer surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
The thermal energy from the heat-generating structure causes at least a portion of the fluid coolant substantially in the form of a liquid to boil and effuse vapor upon contact with a portion of the structure
Implementation Method 2
The thermal energy from the heat-generating structure causes at least a portion of the fluid coolant substantially in the form of a liquid to boil and effuse vapor upon contact with a portion of the structure
Implementation Method 3
The effusion of vapor creates a self-induced flow in the chamber. The self-induced flow distributes non-vaporized fluid coolant substantially in the form of a liquid to other portions of the structure
Implementation Method 4
The structure disposed within the chamber receive thermal energy from the heat generating structure and transfers at least a portion of the thermal energy to the fluid coolant
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment of the invention, a cooling system for a heat-generating structure comprises a chamber and structure disposed within the chamber. The chamber has an inlet and an outlet. The inlet receives fluid coolant into the chamber substantially in the form of a liquid. The outlet dispenses the fluid coolant out of the chamber at least partially in the form of a vapor. The structure disposed within the chamber receive thermal energy from the heat generating structure and transfers at least a portion of the thermal energy to the fluid coolant. The thermal energy from the heat-generating structure causes at least a portion of the fluid coolant substantially in the form of a liquid to boil and effuse vapor upon contact with a portion of the structure. The effusion of vapor creates a self-induced flow in the chamber. The self-induced flow distributes non-vaporized fluid coolant substantially in the form of a liquid to other portions of the structure.